Friday, October 20, 2017

To Every Thing There is a Season...

"To every thing there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under the heaven..."

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

Dear reader, the time has come for me to step away for awhile. I don't know the length of my departure but I feel it is necessary at this time in my life. In order to practice what I preach (for I shrink at the thought of being a hyprocite!), I am going to take a rest from this keyboard.

"a time to speak..." (Ecclesiastes 3:7)

Thank you for all the kind and encouraging words that you have shared with me over the recent years. I have really enjoyed the online fellowship and it was a balm for me during the past 5 years when a large change had come into my life. Another season is now brewing and my home needs 100% of my attention... As the late Jim Elliot had summoned up brilliantly, “Wherever you are, be all there!"

So for the present, it is "a time to keep silence"... (Ecclesiastes 3:7)

I have to be honest...I am disappointed to see this as I have come to truly love your beautiful blog and to value all the wonderful homemaking advice you have shared here! But I certainly understand. I too, had a fairly popular blog years ago and I came to a point where I had to stop writing too, because it was cutting too much into my time. I might only take a few minutes for a reader to peruse a blog post, but it may take several hours for the writer to put it together!

That being said, I also must say that I do hope that your absence from writing here is not permanent...truly, this blog is a gem among blogs, it's so classy, elegant, and downright helpful. I have absolutely loved many of your printables, especially the Beatrix Potter and Raggedy Ann ones! Thank you for all the hard work you have put into this space and I do hope to see you again in the future.

Dear Jens, you will be sadly missed, but I am sure you are making the right decision for you and your family. Take the time that you all need and come back to us when you can. May God bless you and keep you in the palm of His hand.

Your blog is lovely to read and has done my soul good on more than one occasion. If you need to be elsewhere, I just hope you will keep your blog accessible so that your words are still here for those of us who enjoy them.May God bless you with the guidance and wisdom you seek as your turn your time and talents to where they are most needed! And thank you!

Your blog is truly an inspiration and encouragement. I wish there would have been blogs like yours forty-five years ago when I was a young, stay-at-home mother. It is truly a blessing to read your timeless ideas about homemaking and godly womanhood. Thank you for all of the time that you have spent making your blog so delightful. I look forward to your return. In the meantime, I will read and reread the homemaking tips and godly advice that you have posted. It is such a wonderful way to stay focused on what is important in our lives. Blessings ~ Pamela ~

May the LORD bless you in this new season. I understand, as blogging is always the first thing to take the "back burner" in my life. : ) I will miss you, but at the same time you have provided so many wonderful posts over the years that I am sure I will visit your blog regularly to read through the old posts.

Jes,You are an inspiration, a blessing, and a precious person. Thank you for all you have shared on your blog. We will patiently await your return.Prayers for guidance, wisdom, and peace will continue for you.Love and a hug,Glenda

Hello Jes, I'm sure you've contemplated and prayed about this, it's a hard decision. I do hope you'll leave your blog up as there is so many useful topics and encouragement for the home here. I pray you get rested and refreshed and will at some point come back as the Lord leads. May God pour his blessings on you dear one and your family. Love Abby

Praying the Lord blesses you as you are "all there" for your home and family. Thank you for all your gentle kindness in all that you share. It is a blessing to me. Take care until we meet again! -Jennifer

As others have already said, I too, will miss your posts quite a bit! Not very many places can one find encouragement in home making! But may God bless you and your family! Thank you for what you have already shared!

JES, I know that you will bring peace and stability to you home. Your blog has been an inspiration in the art of homemaking and has taught me a lot, I thank you for all your shared wisdom. You will be missed.

Thank you Jane for your kind words! I hope to be back soon but it is all in God's time... I also wanted to thank you for sharing with us at Annabel's! I love the projects you do and adore the recent recipe book! :)

I, too, have benefited much from your blog and I also understand the need to back off and focus on home and family (that's why I've kinda given up blogging, too). Many blessings on you and your family.

JES, although I have no blog, I have thought that the great love, care, and attention to detail that you invest in yours must demand a significant amount of your time and energy. I have been the very blessed recipient of your godly wisdom and counsel, and your extremely helpful guidance in the art of homekeeping. I consider you a "reverse Titus 2 woman," a younger woman who instructs this older woman in loving her family and keeping her home. :) Your description of a new season "brewing" in your home sounds very interesting indeed! I am happy that you will take this break to pour your full attention into what the Lord has next for you and your loved ones. I will remember your prayer request for wisdom and guidance, for every new season demands them, as does every single day. Many blessings on you, JES, and thank you with all my heart for your faithful dedication to this blog. From one California girl to another. :) Nancy D.

You will be greatly missed. Thank you for all you've shared with us. I'm glad I found you about two years ago. I am using your many labels to transform my pantry little by little. I love it. May God bless you as you continue in the path and role He has for you as a homemaker, mother and wife.

Thank you Michelle! I would love to see your finished pantry pictures when you complete your project! I hope my time away isn't too long but in the meantime, I appreciate the encouragement you have all left me here! :)

Dear Jes,As others have said, you are such an inspiration. You have blessed us so kindly and become a positive part of our lives. I can't really say any more than the others, but will certainly pray for you and your family. I too am hoping your absence is temporary, and your return will always be welcomed. It's not said much anymore, but God speed. May this leg of your journey bring many blessing.

Please don't be a stranger Jes! I shall continue to follow so that I don't miss anything. Even once a month is fine to post. Sugar Pie Farmhouse blog has often been once a month or even less often in the past.

JES, we completely understand your need to shift your focus, but oh, you will be missed. Your posts have been delightful and such a blessing to your readers. We'll keep you in our prayers and trust the Lord to keep you and your family as only He can. Blessings and many thanks for all you've shared with us. :)

JES - You have become a dear online friend. I applaud you for backing away from this online world and being fully at home where you are needed now. I have been praying for you and will continue to do so as you come to mind.. and also for your family. I will miss your wonderful blog, ideas, wisdom and sweet spirit, but am rejoicing that you are putting into practice the very idea of being a godly woman. That isn't always easy, but it is honoring to God to obey Him... even in the hard things. May God bless you and your family. :)

Hello, I want to just say you are a wise woman and God will continue to guide you in your home and your blog is always there when and if He allows it again! You have given more tools and resources in this blog that for a very long time people will glean from it!Love, Roxy I read Ecclesiates chapter 3 this morning after reading this post yesterday afternoon. We should all be so wise to understand the seasons in our lives...

I will miss you, but I understand you must take this time. I am happy to know that your blog will still be here for me to read over again--I am still learning from posts I've read before. Go, refresh yourself, rest, enjoy. Then come back and tell us what you've learned!

Jes, I totally understand - I've had some things recently in my life that made me stop and re-evaluate everything and it included cutting down on my computer time. Of course, your blog was one (of 4) I choose to continue reading. I have learned so much from you. You are such an inspiration. I am so glad you are going to leave your blog up that way I will have a chance to read back and maybe get to the start of your blog. Take your time, take care of your life/family and come back when you are ready. Sincerely, Cindy Norred

JES I totally understand your decision and will be praying for you as you go about your daily life. You have been a blessing to many I am sure and let's face it...there is enough information on your blog to keep any readers busy for ages. What a mine of helpful information and support it is. So big hugs from over here in Australia and I look forward to any quick updates you may be able to give us about how you are going. As we say in Australia 'See ya!'

Oh I will miss your beautiful posts. This is one of my very favourite places to visit. I have pinned so many of your lovely ideas and printables. Thank you for your generous contributions to 'homemaking' life, which have all been done so beautifully. Blessings to you and your new adventure

JES, it was only recently when I discovered your blog, and it blessed me already in so many ways. I lack godly women in my life as role models, and also, it is so rare nowaday in our culture (central Europe) to find kindred spirits - women, who enjoy thier God´s ordained role as a homemaker. I hope and pray all is well with you and your dear ones. Prayers for guidance and wisdom, and for peace for your heart, as God will lead you through any challenge you might be facing right now. With love, Ivana, Czech Republic

Thank you for the hours and hours of love and effort you put into writing such a beautiful, inspirational, encouraging and God-honouring blog... You have blessed and encouraged my dear mom and I more than words can express... I always love visiting with you and I have missed almost four-months worth of blog posts, so in your absence I will enjoy each and every lovely post! May the Lord bless you abundantly in this next season of your life! With love and joy in Christ,Kelly-Anne

Hi Kelly-Anne, I am so happy to hear from you! Sounds like you have taken your own little break recently too! I hope it has found you refreshed and inspired! I look forward to reading more of your lovely adventures also! :)

I'm fairly new here, but I was hooked from day one! I can't thank you enough for leaving your blog up as I haven't read through all of it yet! Maybe about the time I do, you'll be ready to jump in again!! ;)A girl can wish, right?!

Everyone has already expressed the feelings I have so I'll just say, "what they said!" and wish you a blessed break.

Thanks so much for taking the time to share! Now that you have read "Eight Cousins", make sure to read the sequel to finish it all off -- "Rose in Bloom" ! I hope to be back soon but it feels better to just leave it open ended for now. I appreciate all the kind comments you sprinkled along the way! Love, JES

Your blog has been an inspiration for me for long while now and I am so heartbroken I won't be seeing anymore posts. Your blog is absolutely beautiful and I have saved all the emails from your posts now for a while just so I can revisit them and renew my inspiration and enjoy the lovely ideas you have shared.

God bless you, Jes, and your family. Your blog is a sweet relief from the harsh realities of our modern age. You help me to treasure all that is sweet and simple, as well as helping me find ways to incorporate that sweet simplicity into my everyday life. Praying for you in this time of respite.

Dear sweet friend JES~ oh why must such good things have to end? I will miss your lovely blog and wonderful homemaking ideas! But of course, for everything there is a season, but I will look forward to your return and will visit your blog often when I am need of a uplift and a reminder of how important a homemaker’s job is. A joyful labor of love in the presence of the Lord! Blessings to you...T

Thank you T for understanding! I hope to be back soon as there is so much to write about homemaking (it is too much fun!) and it will be hard to not share when the time is right again! :) Blessings to you and yours! :)

Dearest Jes, I am so sad to hear this, but I trust it is for joyous reasons at your end. Blogging can become a full time commitment if you do it as beautifully and bountifully as you do, and I completely understand the need for a pause. If we are fortunate enough to welcome you back, that would be a true blessing, but please do not feel pressured. A time to every purpose under Heaven. Much love, Mimi xxx

Jes - to every thing there is a season...you are so right. I pray for this season to be short for the sake of all of us who love your posts. I also pray that whatever your family is going through will be resolved in a good way. Your priorities are in order, and I admire your commitment to following G-d's leading. You have blessed so many with your writing, and I'm glad it will be left for us to revisit and feel close to you. I've always felt welcome here, encouraged, and among kindred spirits. You are loved, dear sister. I pray for peace and blessings for you and your family.

Jes- when I first found your blog several years ago I asked something about living in a house that needs work,etc. ( Something along those lines). You responded so sweetly and said to make a little progress at a time.I still think of that and I am grateful for those few words of wisdom.God bless you and your family. I will continue to read past posts. Your blog is genuinely one of the handful I read.Mrs.O

Beloved Friend, I've been missing you so so much during my break, and was looking forward to come back and meet you again ... the web won't be the same without you, but I'm sure you'll come back, one day, I pray the lLord for this, and I'll be there waiting for you !You've taught so many things to me, I'm sure I'm a better woman, wife and mother after your example and teachings ... I'm moved to tears thinking of your absence !

I remember the day I found your blog. I was feeling extremely discouraged about my role as a wife and mother, but as always God was looking out for me and directed me to your blog. It was such a buoy in a time when I was floundering. I spent hours on your blog that first night, absorbing wisdom and encouragement. I'm so grateful for you and the work you do. You have been a blessing to me, my family and countless others. Be well. Be blessed

Thanks for all you have shared and the encouragement that you have given; I have learned a lot here! And it is also encouraging to see you taking this season to put your time and energy where it is most needed - that is a good example to us as well. May the Lord bless and keep you and be your strength and joy in this journey.

You are making a decision that will bless you and your family. I can occasionally visit blogs when I visit the library, but have really been more at peace just focusing on home and family. God bless you as you focus on Him and what He has given you to do each day. You have been a great encouragement.Shirley (previously from Teach The Younger Women blog)

After a two month hiatus, due to an extra busy summer, I have now found the time to attend to my blog once again, and to visit my beloved blogging friends, like you, and just as I was ready to link up to your wonderful The Art of Homemaking Mondays, I learn that you are taking a break.

May your time away from blogland be blessed with happy moments, lovely inspiration and the love of your family and friends. I hope to see you again, soon. It's been a joy getting to know you.

Dear JES, it has been such a joy to get to know you on this incredible online space you have, so much gentle wisdom and teaching about the home shared. I hope that you will pop in every once in a while to share, even small things! I pray that the LORD greatly blesses you are you attend to your family and blesses you in this new season in your life. Are you on Instagram? I would love to see you there if you are, I've found it to be a place to share much easier than a long blog post. I see a lot of our mutual blog friends there. Much love and prayers and best wishes to you my dear sweet friend!

I hope you enjoy your time away from the keyboard and I hope that one day you will make the decision to return. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing nothing and getting nowhere with blogging but the truth is that we are touching lives every day. Maybe the lives we touch are even those that are alone and have no one else to minister to them. What I'm saying is that you are a blessing and this website is a blessing and we will miss you. God bless you abundantly. Patti

My dear friend, I was just thinking of you the other day...wondering how you were doing :) Please know that you are thought of often. May you have a beautiful and blessed holiday season. Much love to you!

I was so sad when I saw you had decided to have a break from blogging, but also believe it's very wise to put ones family first. God's blessings to you :0)p.s. I'm so very thankful for all your lovely tips, ideas, recipes and advice. Blogs like yours are a lovely peaceful haven in this world.

You being an instrument in the hands of God helped save me too! This is a set-apart blog of righteousness and goodness encouraging biblical womanhood, strengthening your sisters against the fierce times to come. There is holiness in everyday work. We can have our Father and Savior and the Holy Ghost with us all through the day. Our hands do the work but our hearts, minds, silent and vocal prayer yearn for God in praise and total dependence. That's what I take away from this blog. THANK YOU Jes. God bless you and yours and hope things work out that you can continue the blog. If not, you've given so much and we are the better for it.

Well, it's now Valentine's Day 2018. I wanted to wish you and your family a wonderful day, and pitch just the teensiest tantrum about how much I miss your posts. I decided to begin re reading the whole blog, a section at a time, and start adapting your ideas for organizing, cooking, decorating, etc, to my own life and home. I think there's enough material on pantry building, organizing and labeling alone to keep me too busy to miss your posting. God bless you and yours.

I had just found your blog yesterday, and have enjoyed reading several articles. . .I'm sorry to hear you're stepping away, but totally understand having been in this situation before myself with health issues and family obligations. I'll busy myself catching up on all of your posts, and hopefully you'll be back as soon as you can. I really can't express how much I've enjoyed finding this blog. Love!

Hello. I came to browse your blog again because it's just so beautiful and refreshing. I hope you are enjoying your respite. If you do come back, I hope you don't change a thing...it is so charming as is. There are many bloggers that have switched to a more "modern" blogging format, and it just doesn't lure me in anymore. I liken some of those blogs to a DK/Eyewitness book...whereas your is more like Sarah Ban Breathnach's "Mrs. Sharp's Traditions."

bummer just found your blog Dec 31st 2018 ! & of course you have stopped posting.. just my luck lately ..LOLwith all the great info here , I think I can keep myself entertained .hope you back soon tho. many blessings

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Welcome! A little introduction… I am an old-fashioned, Bible-believing, wife to my "one and only" for 20 years, homeschooling mother, who embraces her role as "keeper at home". We live on a 25-acre prairie farm.For fun… my three main earthly weaknesses (in no particular order) are coffee, dark chocolate and hardcover books. What about you? My hope is that this blog will inspire you in the arts of homemaking, homeschooling and homesteading. Visit here for 10 random facts about me... Have a beautiful day! ~ JES

"The woman who makes a sweet, beautiful home, filling it with love and prayer and purity, is doing something better than anything else her hands could find to do beneath the skies. A true mother is one of the holiest secrets of home happiness. God sends many beautiful things to this world, many noble gifts; but no blessing is richer than that which He bestows in a mother who has learned love's lessons well, and has realized something of the meaning of her sacred calling."

"She (the godly wife and mother) is a mighty warrior queen who fights righteous battles at her husband's side and reigns with him over the home and domain God has given them as they work together for Christ's eternal Kingdom and glory."

"There is nothing in the daily routine of the family life that is unimportant. Indeed, it is ofttimes the things we think of as without influence that will be found to have made the deepest impression on the tender lives of the household." ~ Excerpt from The Family

“And there are my children! My darling, precious children! For their sakes I am continually constrained to seek after an amended, a sanctified life; what I want them to become I must become myself."

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